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December 28, 2018

Essay on Measles and Rubella (450 words)

Essay on Measles and Rubella

INTRODUCTION

Rubella is a common infection in many parts of the world. There is ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease globally by World Health Organisation (WHO). Every year 40,000 rubella syndrome cases occurs in India. Like India have eliminated polio, tetanus and jaws in this decade, it has set a target to eliminate syndrome caused by rubella virus by 2020.

BODY

ABOUT MEASLES AND RUBELLA

Rubella or German measles is an infectious disease caused by the rubella virus. There is a mild impact of virus, making it hard to realise if a person is affected from it or not. Measles is highly infectious and is one of the major childhood killer disease. Unlike measles, rubella is a mild viral infection that mainly occurs in children. But a women infected with the rubella virus during the early stage of pregnancy has a high chance of transmitting it to the foetus.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms similar to flu. Primary symptoms include rashes on the the face which later spread to other parts of the body. Other symptoms include fever, swollen glands, joint pain, headache. Rubella can affect anyone of any age. It causes Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). Rashes developed can sometimes be itchy. It also affect the health of child if pregnant women is affected with the infection. The virus can cause hearing impairments, eye and heart defect and brain damage in newborn.

HOW IT SPREAD

Usually it spread through air via cough of people who are infected with the virus. Only humans are infected. Once recovered, people are immune to further infection.

PREVENTION

Rubella is preventable with the rubella vaccine. Often it is given in combination with measles vaccine and mumps vaccine, known as MMR vaccine. WHO A single dose of rubella vaccine gives more than 95% long-lasting immunity.

INDIA: To end Measles-Rubella infection by 2020

Measles-rubella is one of the major infectious disease in India. India has set a target to eliminate the disease by 2020. Measles rubella vaccination campaign is being introduced in phases in various states. Following the campaign, two doses of the combination vaccine will become a part of the National Immunisation Programme. All children will receive free two doses.

To Eliminate the disease, the vaccine coverage has to be over 95%. India has to ramp up surveillance of both diseases. Maintain outbreak preparedness, respond quickly to outbreaks by vaccinating all children in a community and ensure effective and timely treatment of cases anywhere in the country.

CONCLUSION

The current MR vaccination campaign is the first time that the union health ministry is introducing rubella vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme. According to WHO, the elimination of measles will help India to achieve its sustainable development goals.